Thumbs-up for condition of Distrct 95 buildings

While roof repairs and other work likely are in the future at some Lake Zurich Unit District 95 schools, an architect who performed a review said the structures are in good shape overall.

Steven Wright, of Itasca-based DLA Architects Ltd., presented his findings in a report to the District 95 board Thursday. DLA was asked to assemble a 10-year survey of state-mandated life-safety work at all buildings except Lake Zurich High School - ranging from roofing to electrical systems - as well as a districtwide long-range facility plan.

Precise costs ultimately will be decided by how much and what type of work is done at the buildings over 10 years, Wright said.

"The reason that we can't put numbers on it at this point is because we don't know your priority, when these things may be addressed," he said.

Wright, five other architects and four engineers last spring examined seven schools, including climbing onto the roofs. Wright gave the District 95 board good news about what was found.

"You have a very large group of facilities," Wright told the elected officials. "And before we go into much detail, I'd like to tell you everything is in great shape. I have seen districts where, doing facility assessments and life-safety surveys, I have had to make recommendations that the district did not like to hear. These were buildings that were in very, very poor condition. Yours are very well maintained."

One repair job apparently looming is the roof at Isaac Fox Elementary School and the adjoining Middle School South on Cuba Road in Lake Zurich, which opened in 1993. District 95 board member Scott McConnell said he was "surprised and concerned" the roof was recommended for replacement.

However, Wright said the rubber roof, which typically lasts 12 to 15 years, is pulling at the perimeter. He said water could get into the building if the roof tears along the edge.

"I personally walked the roofs twice," Wright said. "After looking at it once, I brought somebody that's even more of an expert on roofs to take a look at it, to make sure my perception was correct. They said, 'Absolutely.'"

As part of the report on possible long-term facility projects, Wright said, feedback was collected from administrators and teachers about what 21st century learning should look like. He said 191 of 382 respondents completed all 79 questions in the online survey.

Rooms for science, technology, engineering and mathematics - also called STEM by education insiders - should be priorities at District 95's two middle schools, according to the survey. School board President Doug Goldberg agreed with the assessment.

"I would submit, at least the data that I have read, says if you are going to target STEM as a goal, middle school is where it should be done, because that's where you can find those kids and identify them."